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Where To Source

There are many reasons to choose to source British. For example, it means the produce has traveled less from farm to shop, so regardless of how carbon
footprints are calculated, it self-evidently has a lower carbon footprint. It also supports our farmers and economy.

There are also other factors to consider, such as the fact British animals are reared to some of the highest standards in the world:

Britain's cattle passport system means that each animal can be uniquely traced to its dam (mother) and place of birth.

No growth-promoting hormones are fed to sheep or beef cattle in the UK and any antibiotics are administered only under veterinary direction.

British chicken is the safest chicken meat in Europe as all British hens are vaccinated against salmonella.

The Co-op and British Food

At The Co-op, we’ve always supported the UK farming industry and promoted British food. We have created long-term relationships with our farmers and suppliers
so that we can work with them to give our customers complete transparency in our supply chain, which is built on honesty, fairness and trust. We have
created The Co-operative Farming Groups, which, combined with a clear sourcing strategy, gives us a great future. At The Co-op, we support nearly 2,000
UK farmers and we have dedicated long-term relationships with more than 400 farmers, who are all part of The Co-operative Farming Groups. These 400
carefully selected ‘foundation’ farms focus on growing and rearing animals to The Co-op’s high standards. They provide chicken, pork, Hereford and
Aberdeen Angus beef, Cambrian lamb and milk, through a transparent supply chain. Since the establishment of The Co-operative Dairy Group in 2011, we’ve
launched five additional Farming Groups to cover our own-brand fresh British meat and poultry. Together, the six groups help to maintain our strict
animal welfare policies and encourage long-term investment and improvements to sustainability, efficiency and training. We are committed throughout
2016 to extending our groups across additional species and produce to demonstrate our commitment to British Agriculture.

Lamb – All our fresh lamb and chilled prepared meals are sourced from farms in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and New Zealand (when British lamb is out of season). Our Truly Irresistible fresh lamb is produced from native breeds in the Cambrian Mountains of Mid Wales.

Eggs: All our fresh shell eggs are 100% British Free Range and carry the British Lion Quality Mark. All eggs used in our ingredients are from free range or organic hen.

Pork – All our fresh pork and sausages are all sourced from British farms. As well as sourcing British bacon we also source a small number of bacon products from pork farms in Denmark. We do this to ensure we are able to provide our customers with consistent availability of bacon all year round, at great value. As you would expect, we require our suppliers in Denmark to rear their pigs to equivalent welfare standards.

Fish and Seafood - To provide a clear sourcing standard through which The Co-op can ensure all own-brand fish has been responsibly sourced. To satisfy our members and customers’ expectations that own-brand fish, seafood products and ingredients are sourced in a way that ensures a viable future for the fishing and fish farming industries. All of our Smoked Salmon is 100% Scottish RSCPA Assured.

Fruit and Vegetables – When in season we have committed to 100% British produce on potatoes, carrots, cabbage, swede, onions and parsnips with plans to extend this even more to home grown fruit and vegetables.

Dairy – All our fresh milk is 100% British and sourced from a dedicated group of more than 200 dairy farmers across England, Scotland and Wales. These farmers make up The Co-operative Dairy Group. All of our own-brand liquid milk, yogurts, block butter and Cheddar cheese are 100% sourced from British milk.

Our strong commitment to provide British products for our customers ensures that our sandwiches, Food to Go, chilled ready meals, pizzas and pies all use 100% British meat and poultry*. The switch to 100% British meat and poultry for these key own-brand product ranges demonstrates our commitment to British farmers and meets our customers’ expectations of the Co-op.

* 100% British meat and poultry where appropriate, for example, excludes continental meats and New Zealand lamb in season.

Sourcing Meat - Beef, Lamb and Pork

Visit our meat pages for more information and facts (cuts, flavour, breed, etc.) about different the types of meats.

If you are ordering meat for trade, AHDB Beef and Lamb has put together a Meat Purchasing Guide which can be downloaded as an app. AHDB Beef and Lamb
advise that it can simplify the meat ordering process and save businesses valuable time. Click here for more information.

Remember when buying meat that as lifestyles have changed in the last few decades, so have the dishes that we eat and the cooking techniques used. As a
result some cuts of meat have become ‘fashionable’ and this is reflected in their price.

If you are a retailer…including cheaper cuts of meat in the range you sell will attract new customers and may encourage existing customers to spend
more in your shop.

If you are a caterer or in public procurement…using less fashionable cuts of meat is a simple way of increasing the profit from a dish.

If you are a consumer…choosing less fashionable cuts is a good way to keep the weekly shopping bill down.

To find out where to source meat carrying theFreedom Food mark, contact the scheme at:

Heritage varieties are most likely to be sourced direct from a local farmer. You should talk to the farmer about your plans in advance of the growing season
so that he/she is able to make the necessary preparations.

To find out where to source asparagus, contact the Asparagus Growers Association at:

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About Love British Food

The campaign Love British Food, the national food celebrations ‘British Food Fortnight’ and their associated logos are trademarked and must not be used without the express permission of the owners, Love British Food. Companies or individuals wanting to use the logos or run promotions and activity in association with British Food Fortnight or Love British Food can work with Love British Food as a member or partner or with permission from the founder.